Element-Shielding Device

ABSTRACT

An element-shielding device includes a first rod including a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; a second rod including a second stake configured for insertion into the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier material disposed between the first rod and the second rod. The barrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod and the second rod. An element-shielding system includes a plurality of element-shielding devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/699,060, filed Jul. 17, 2018, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure is directed to an element-shielding device, anelement-shielding system, and a method for shielding an area.

2. Technical Considerations

Environmental elements, such as wind, rain, hail, snow, and the likeoften gust or otherwise move around an outdoor area in which a user ispositioned, creating an uncomfortable environment for the user.

As one non-limiting example, on the beach, gusts of wind or nearbypedestrians can kick up sand on a beachgoer and/or his/her belongings.Not only can this be uncomfortable and frustrating, but it is also verydifficult to avoid. Additionally, large gusts of wind can whip aroundeven more sand, such that the sand contacts a beachgoer lying or sittingon the sand. Gusts can further blow away unsecured belongings, like foodwrappers, towels, clothing, and more. Gusts can also make it chilly anduncomfortable on cooler days.

In another non-limiting example a hunter may remain stationary in thesame area of the woods for hours in conditions that can include gustingwind or precipitation, making it uncomfortable for the hunter.

Accordingly, a device that is configured to prevent wind, sand,precipitation, and the like from penetrating therethrough, therebyproviding a more comfortable environment for a user thereof, is desired.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, and generally, provided is an element-shielding device, anelement-shielding system, and a method for shielding an area.

The disclosure relates to an element-shielding device, including: afirst rod including a first stake configured for insertion into theground; a second rod including a second stake configured for insertioninto the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barriermaterial disposed between the first rod and the second rod, where thebarrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod andthe second rod.

A shielded area may be formed with the first stake and the second stakeinserted into the ground and the barrier material at least partiallyexposed between the first rod and the second rod. The barrier materialmay include a fabric. The first rod may define a first hollow cavity,and the first stake may be disposed in the first hollow cavity. Thesecond rod may define a second hollow cavity, and the second stake maybe disposed in the second hollow cavity. The first stake may beextendable and retractable from the first hollow cavity, and the secondstake may be extendable and retractable from the second hollow cavity.The first stake and the second stake may each define a point at an endconfigured for insertion into the ground. At least one of the first rodand the second rod may define a channel, where the barrier material maybe disposed within the channel.

The element-shielding device may further include a reel including anaxis, where the barrier material may be extendable and retractable bybeing wound around the axis of the reel. The reel may be attached to thefirst rod, where the barrier material may be extendable and retractableby moving at least one of the second rod and the reel away from theother of the second rod and the reel. At least one of the first rod andthe second rod may include at least one clip. The at least one clip maybe configured to engage with a third rod. The third rod may be acomponent of another element-shielding device or an accessory. Thebarrier material may include a camouflage pattern. The barrier materialmay include an advertisement.

The disclosure also relates to an element-shielding system, including: aplurality of element-shielding devices, each element-shielding deviceincluding: a first rod including a first stake configured for insertioninto the ground; a second rod including a second stake configured forinsertion into the ground at a distance from the first stake; and abarrier material disposed between the first rod and the second rod,where the barrier material is extendable and retractable between thefirst rod and the second rod.

The plurality of element-shielding devices may be arranged to form ashielded area. The plurality of element-shielding devices may include afirst element-shielding device and a second element-shielding device,where the first element-shielding device may be attached to the secondelement-shielding device and the first element-shielding device may forman angle with the second element-shielding device. The firstelement-shielding device may be clipped to the second element-shieldingdevice. Each element-shielding device may further include a reelcomprising an axis, where the barrier material may be extendable andretractable by being wound around the axis of the reel.

The disclosure also relates to a method for shielding an area,including: providing an element-shielding device including: a first rodincluding a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; asecond rod including a second stake configured for insertion into theground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier materialdisposed between the first rod and the second rod, where the barriermaterial is extendable and retractable between the first rod and thesecond rod.

Further embodiments or aspects are set forth in the following numberedclauses:

Clause 1: An element-shielding device, comprising: a first rodcomprising a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; asecond rod comprising a second stake configured for insertion into theground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier materialdisposed between the first rod and the second rod, wherein the barriermaterial is extendable and retractable between the first rod and thesecond rod.

Clause 2: The element-shielding device of clause 1, wherein a shieldedarea is formed with the first stake and the second stake inserted intothe ground and the barrier material at least partially exposed betweenthe first rod and the second rod.

Clause 3: The element-shielding device of clause 1 or 2, wherein thebarrier material comprises a fabric.

Clause 4: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-3, wherein:the first rod defines a first hollow cavity and the first stake is atleast partially disposed in the first hollow cavity; and the second roddefines a second hollow cavity and the second stake is at leastpartially disposed in the second hollow cavity.

Clause 5: The element-shielding device of clause 4, wherein: the firststake is extendable and retractable from the first hollow cavity; andthe second stake is extendable and retractable from the second hollowcavity.

Clause 6: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-5, whereinthe first stake and the second stake each define a point at an endconfigured for insertion into the ground.

Clause 7: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-6, wherein atleast one of the first rod and the second rod define a channel, whereinat least a portion of the barrier material is disposed within thechannel.

Clause 8: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-7, furthercomprising a reel comprising an axis, wherein the barrier material isextendable and retractable by being wound around the axis of the reel.

Clause 9: The element-shielding device of clause 8, wherein the reel isattached to the first rod, wherein the barrier material is extendableand retractable by moving at least one of the second rod and the reelaway from the other of the second rod and the reel.

Clause 10: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-9, whereinat least one of the first rod and the second rod comprises at least oneclip.

Clause 11: The element-shielding device of clause 10, wherein the atleast one clip is configured to engage with a third rod.

Clause 12: The element-shielding device of clause 11, wherein the thirdrod is a component of another element-shielding device or an accessory.

Clause 13: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-12, whereinthe barrier material comprises a camouflage pattern.

Clause 14: The element-shielding device of any of clauses 1-13, whereinthe barrier material comprises an advertisement.

Clause 15: An element-shielding system, comprising: a plurality ofelement-shielding devices, each element-shielding device comprising: afirst rod comprising a first stake configured for insertion into theground; a second rod comprising a second stake configured for insertioninto the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barriermaterial disposed between the first rod and the second rod, wherein thebarrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod andthe second rod.

Clause 16: The element-shielding system of clause 15, wherein theplurality of element-shielding devices are arranged to form a shieldedarea.

Clause 17: The element-shielding system of clause 15 or 16, wherein theplurality of element-shielding devices comprises a firstelement-shielding device and a second element-shielding device, whereinthe first element-shielding device is attached to the secondelement-shielding device, wherein the first element-shielding deviceforms an angle with the second element-shielding device.

Clause 18: The element-shielding system of clause 17, wherein the firstelement-shielding device is clipped to the second element-shieldingdevice.

Clause 19: The element-shielding system of any of clauses 15-18, whereineach element-shielding device further comprises a reel comprising anaxis, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable bybeing wound around the axis of the reel.

Clause 20: A method for shielding an area, comprising: providing anelement-shielding device comprising: a first rod comprising a firststake configured for insertion into the ground; a second rod comprisinga second stake configured for insertion into the ground at a distancefrom the first stake; and a barrier material disposed between the firstrod and the second rod, wherein the barrier material is extendable andretractable between the first rod and the second rod.

These and other features and characteristics of the present disclosure,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structures and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure. Asused in the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional advantages and details of the disclosure are explained ingreater detail below with reference to the non-limiting exemplaryembodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying schematic figures,in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an element-shielding device in aretracted position according to some non-limiting embodiments oraspects;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an element-shielding device in an atleast partially exposed position according to some non-limitingembodiments or aspects;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an element-shielding device in aretracted position and an at least partially exposed position accordingto some non-limiting embodiments or aspects and a carrier for theelement-shielding device according to some non-limiting embodiments oraspects;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an element-shielding device having aplurality of stakes according to some non-limiting embodiments oraspects;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a stake of an element-shieldingdevice inserted into the ground according to some non-limitingembodiments or aspects;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an element-shielding system having aplurality of element-shielding devices according to some non-limitingembodiments or aspects; and

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an element-shielding system having aplurality of element-shielding devices having clips according to somenon-limiting embodiments or aspects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end,” “upper,”“lower,” “right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,”“lateral,” “longitudinal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to thedisclosure as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is tobe understood that the disclosure may assume various alternativevariations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification, are simply exemplary embodiments or aspects ofthe disclosure. Hence, specific dimensions and other physicalcharacteristics related to the embodiments or aspects disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, an element-shielding device 10 according to somenon-limiting embodiments or aspects is shown. The element-shieldingdevice 10 may include a first rod 12 having a first end 14 and a secondend 16. A cap 18 may be disposed over the first end 14, and the cap 18may be made of a plastic material. The first rod 12 may include a firsthollow portion. At least one rod hole 20 may be defined in the first rod12, and a plurality of rod holes may be defined along at least a portionof the length of the first rod 12. The first rod 12 may be made of ametal, and the metal may be aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and thelike. The metal may be oxidized.

In some non-limiting examples, the first rod may have a length of from1-5 feet long, such as from 2-4 feet long, or from 3-4 feet long.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-5, the first rod 12 may include afirst stake 22, and the first stake 22 may define a point. The point maybe welded. The first stake 22 (e.g., the point thereof) may beconfigured for insertion into the ground 52 and may function to anchorthe element-shielding device 10. The first stake 22 may be made of ametal, and the metal may be aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and thelike. The metal may be oxidized.

The first stake 22 may be movable relative to the first rod 12 so as tobe extendable and retractable relative to the second end 16 of the firstrod 12. The first stake 22 may have a length extending from the secondend 16 of the first rod 12 that may be adjustable.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first stake 22 may beat least partially disposed in the first hollow portion of the first rod12. The first stake 22 may be extendable and retractable from the firsthollow portion, such that the first stake 22 may be configured toprotrude from the second end 16 of the first rod 12 a predefineddistance. The distance at which the first stake 22 may protrude from thefirst end 16 of the first rod 12 may be adjustable by a user. In somenon-limiting examples, the first stake 22 may have a length of from 1-3feet long, such as 1.5-2.5 feet long. In some non-limiting examples, thefirst stake 22 may extend up to 1-3 feet from the second end 16 of thefirst rod 12, such as up to 1-2 feet, such as up to 16-18 inches. Insome positions, the first stake 22 may be retracted so as to extend lessthan 1 foot from the second end 16 of the first rod 12, such as lessthan 8 inches, less than 6 inches, less than 4 inches, less than 2inches, less than 1 inch, or 0 inch.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the first stake 22 may be extended and/orretracted from the second end 16 of the first rod 12 using thetelescoping arrangement shown therein. At least one of the first stake22 and the first rod 12 may include a button, and at least one of thefirst stake 22 and the first rod 12 may include a hole to engage thebutton to stop movement of the first stake 22 relative to the first rod12 (an extendable/retractable pushpin mechanism). As shown in FIGS. 1and 5, the first rod 24 may include at least one rod hole 20 forengaging a button 54 disposed on the first stake 22 and/or the firststake 22 may include at least one stake hole 56 a, 56 b, 56 c forengaging a button (not shown) disposed on the first rod 12. However,other arrangements for adjusting the length at which the first stake 22protrudes from the second end 16 of the first rod 12 may be used.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first stake 22 may be configured to be insertedinto the ground 52. The length at which the first stake 22 protrudesfrom the second end 16 of the first rod 12 may be selected to more orless securely anchor the first rod 12 into the ground 52 (e.g., allowingthe first stake 22 to protrude further from the second end 16 of thefirst rod 12 to more securely engage the ground 52).

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-5, the element-shielding device 10may include a second rod 24 having a first end 26 and a second end 28. Acap 32 may be disposed over the first end 26. The second rod 24 mayinclude a second hollow portion. At least one rod hole 30 may be definedin the second rod 24, and a plurality of rod holes may be defined alongat least a portion of the length of the second rod 24. The second rod 24may include a second stake 34. The second rod 24 and the second stake 34may have the same features as described above with respect to the firstrod 12 and the first stake 22.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second rod 24 and the second stake 34 may eachinclude a guide line 50 a, 50 b, respectively. The guide line 50 a onthe second rod may align with the guide line 50 b on the second stake34. The guide lines 50 a, 50 b may indicate that the second rod 24 isoriented correctly or incorrectly relative to the second stake 34, basedon whether the guide lines 50 a, 50 b are aligned or not aligned. Thesecond rod 24 and/or the second stake 34 may be rotatable relative toone another to realign the guide lines 50 a, 50 b should they not bealigned, such as when the second stake 34 is extended and/or retractedrelative to the second rod 24. The first rod 12 and the first stake 22may additionally and/or alternatively include such an arrangement havingguide lines.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the element-shielding device 10 may includea barrier material 44 disposed between the first rod 12 and the secondrod 24. The barrier material 44 may be extendable and retractablebetween the first rod 12 and the second rod 24. The barrier material 44may include a fabric. The barrier material 44 may include a plastic,such as nylon, polyester, and the like, and combinations thereof. Thebarrier material 44 may include 210D Oxford fabric. The barrier material44 may be configured to block wind, precipitation (rain, hail, sleet,snow, etc.), and debris that contacts the barrier material 44. Thebarrier material 44 may be in contact (direct or indirect) with at leastone of the first rod 12 and the second rod 24.

Referring to FIG. 3, the element-shielding device 10 may betransitionable between a retracted position (right) and an exposedposition (left). In the retracted position, the barrier material 44 maybe retracted such that the second rod 24 and the first rod 12 (or thereel 35 as described hereinafter) are in contact. In the exposedposition, the barrier material 44 may be at least partially exposed tothe environment. The amount of barrier material 44 exposed to theenvironment may be adjustable by extending and/or retracting the barriermaterial 44 to the desired length.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, a carrier 48 may be provided tocontain the element-shielding device 10. The carrier 48 may include abag into which the element-shielding device 10 may be placed or fromwhich the element-shielding device 10 may be removed. Theelement-shielding device 10 in the retracted position may be placed inthe carrier 48. Other carriers 48, such as a tube or other arrangement,may be used to contain the element-shielding device 10 to allow theelement-shielding device 10 to be more easily transported and/or stored.

Referring again to FIG. 2, at least one of the first rod 12 and thesecond rod 24 may define a channel into which at least a portion of thebarrier material 44 may be disposed (to attach the barrier material 44to the first and/or second rod 12, 24). In the non-limiting exampleshown in FIG. 2, the barrier material 44 is disposed in a channeldefined by the second rod 24 so as to be attached to the second rod 24.The barrier material 44 may be attached to the first rod 12 or thesecond rod 24 in this arrangement or both the first rod 12 and thesecond rod 24 in this arrangement. Other arrangements for attaching thebarrier material 44 to the first rod 12 and/or the second rod 24 may beused to enable the barrier material 44 to be extendable and retractable.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the element-shielding device 10 mayinclude a reel 35. The reel 35 may include a housing 36 having a firstend 38 and a second end 40. The first end 38 and/or the second end 40may include a cap 42, and the cap may be made of plastic. The reel 35may include an axis 46 disposed within the housing 36. The barriermaterial 44 may be wound around the axis 46 and at least partiallydisposed within the housing 36 such that the barrier material isextendable and retractable by winding the barrier material 44 around theaxis 46. In the exposed position, at least a portion of the barriermaterial 44 may be positioned outside the housing 36. The amount (e.g.,length of) the barrier material 44 within and outside of the housing 36may be adjusted by the user by winding the barrier material 44 aroundthe axis 46 to expose more or less barrier material 44. The barriermaterial 44 may be wound around the axis 46 by changing the distancebetween the second rod 24 and the first rod 12.

The reel 35 may be attached to the first and/or the second rod 12, 24,and the reel 35 may be attached thereto using any arrangement. In somenon-limiting embodiments or aspects, the reel 35 may be welded to thefirst rod 12 (as in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4) and/or the second rod 24.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, in some non-limitingembodiments or aspects, the reel 35 may be attached to the first rod 12.The barrier material 44 disposed in the reel 35 and wound around theaxis 46 may be extendable and retractable by moving at least one of thesecond rod 24 and the reel 35 away from the other of the second rod 24and the reel 35. By increasing the distance between the second rod 24and the reel 35, the barrier material may be extended from the reel 35(releasably wound around the axis 46) to extend the length of theelement-shielding device 10. By decreasing the distance between thesecond rod 24 and the reel 35, the barrier material 44 may be retractedinto the reel 35 (receivably wound around the axis 46) to retract thelength of the element-shielding device 10.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the element-shielding device 10 a may form ashielded area. FIGS. 6 and 7 show a plurality of element-shieldingdevices 10 a, 10 b arranged together to form an element-shielding system60 forming a shielded area 64, but it will be a appreciated that theshielded area 64 may be formed using a single element-shielding deviceor more than 2 element-shielding devices.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the shielded area 64 may beformed with at least one element-shielding device 10 a in an exposedposition. In the exposed position, the first stake 22 and the secondstake 34 (FIG. 1) may be inserted into the ground 52 (FIG. 5) with thebarrier material 44 (FIG. 2) exposed therebetween. The element-shieldingdevice 10 a inserted into the ground 52 and having the barrier material44 exposed may form the shielded area 64 on a lee side of the barriermaterial 44. The shielded area 64 may be at least partially protectedfrom environmental conditions. In some non-limiting examples, thebarrier material 44 may block wind, precipitation, sunlight, and thelike from reaching the shielded area 64. In some non-limiting examples,the barrier material 44 may block surrounding materials from reachingthe shielded area, such as sand, dirt, and other debris from thesurroundings that may be kicked up by the elements or pedestrians in thearea.

The shielded area 64 may be formed by arranging a plurality ofelement-shielding devices 10 a, 10 b (an element-shielding system 60)(first element-shielding device 10 a and second element-shielding device10 b), such that the element-shielding devices 10 a, 10 b inserted intothe ground 52 and having the barrier material 44 exposed may form theshielded area 64 on a lee side of the barrier materials 44. The firstelement-shielding device 10 a may be arranged at an angle relative tothe second element-shielding device 10 b. The angle between the firstelement-shielding device 10 a and the second element-shielding device 10b may be between 0° and 180°. In some non-limiting examples, the firstelement-shielding device 10 a and the second element-shielding device 10b may be arranged at a right angle (90°), as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 toform an L-shape. In some non-limiting examples, the firstelement-shielding device 10 a and the second element-shielding device 10b may be arranged as a straight line (at a 180°). In some non-limitingexamples, the first element-shielding device 10 a and the secondelement-shielding device 10 b may form an acute or obtuse angle.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first element-shieldingdevice 10 a and the second element-shielding device 10 b arranged in theelement-shielding system 60 may be attached to one another using anysuitable arrangement. In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, thefirst element-shielding device 10 a may be clipped to the secondelement-shielding device 10 b. At least one of the firstelement-shielding device 10 a and the second element-shielding device 10b may include at least one clip 66 to engage the other of the firstelement-shielding device 10 a and the second element-shielding device 10b so as to attach the first element-shielding device 10 a to the secondelement-shielding device 10 b. The at least one clip 66 may bepositioned on at least one of the first rod 12 and the second rod 24 ofthe first element-shielding device 10 a and/or the secondelement-shielding device 10 b. A single clip or a plurality of clips 66may be positioned on at least one of the first rod 12 and the second rod24 of the first element-shielding device 10 a and/or the secondelement-shielding device 10 b. The at least one clip 66 may engage atleast one of the first rod 12 and the second rod 24 of the other of thefirst element-shielding device 10 a and the second element-shieldingdevice 10 b to attach the first element-shielding device 10 a and thesecond element-shielding device 10 b to one another.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the at least one clip 66 mayengage a third rod 63 different from the first rod 12 and the second rod24 of an element-shielding device 10 a. The third rod 63 may be acomponent of an accessory. The accessory may be, for example, anumbrella 62 or other personal item. The at least one clip 66 may securethe third rod 63 to the element-shielding device 10 a.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the barrier material 44 maybe made of a clear material, a translucent material, and/or an opaquematerial. The barrier material 44 may have a pattern. The pattern may beornamental. The pattern may include a camouflage pattern relative to thesurroundings of the element-shielding device 10. The barrier material 44may include an indicia thereon, such as a trademark, a logo, a design, aphotograph, text, and the like. The barrier material 44 may include anadvertisement thereon.

In some non-limiting embodiments or aspects, a method for shielding anarea from the elements may include providing at least oneelement-shielding device as described herein. The shielded area may beformed by extending the element-shielding device to the exposed positionand inserting the first and second stakes thereof into the ground. Insome non-limiting examples, the ground may be a beach, such that theshielded area is shielded from the surroundings of the beach (e.g.,wind, precipitation, blowing water, blowing sand, and the like). In somenon-limiting examples, the ground may be a hunting area (e.g., woods),such that the shielded area is shielded from the surroundings of thehunting area; optionally, the element-shielding device may have barriermaterial having a camouflage pattern. In some non-limiting examples, theelement-shielding device may include a barrier material having anadvertisement thereon, such that the element shielding device may be anadvertisement sign inserted into the ground in its exposed position.

Although the disclosure has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdetail is solely for that purpose and that the disclosure is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood thatthe present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one ormore features of any embodiment can be combined with one or morefeatures of any other embodiment.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An element-shielding device, comprising: a first rod comprising a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; a second rod comprising a second stake configured for insertion into the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier material disposed between the first rod and the second rod, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod and the second rod.
 2. The element-shielding device of claim 1, wherein a shielded area is formed with the first stake and the second stake inserted into the ground and the barrier material at least partially exposed between the first rod and the second rod.
 3. The element-shielding device of claim 1, wherein the barrier material comprises a fabric.
 4. The element-shielding device of claim 1, wherein: the first rod defines a first hollow cavity and the first stake is at least partially disposed in the first hollow cavity; and the second rod defines a second hollow cavity and the second stake is at least partially disposed in the second hollow cavity.
 5. The element-shielding device of claim 4, wherein: the first stake is extendable and retractable from the first hollow cavity; and the second stake is extendable and retractable from the second hollow cavity.
 6. The element-shielding device of claim 1, wherein the first stake and the second stake each define a point at an end configured for insertion into the ground.
 7. The element-shielding device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first rod and the second rod define a channel, wherein at least a portion of the barrier material is disposed within the channel.
 8. The element-shielding device of claim 1, further comprising a reel comprising an axis, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable by being wound around the axis of the reel.
 9. The element-shielding device of claim 8, wherein the reel is attached to the first rod, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable by moving at least one of the second rod and the reel away from the other of the second rod and the reel.
 10. The element-shielding device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first rod and the second rod comprises at least one clip.
 11. The element-shielding device of claim 10, wherein the at least one clip is configured to engage with a third rod.
 12. The element-shielding device of claim 11, wherein the third rod is a component of another element-shielding device or an accessory.
 13. The element-shielding device of claim 1, wherein the barrier material comprises a camouflage pattern.
 14. The element-shielding device of claim 1, wherein the barrier material comprises an advertisement.
 15. An element-shielding system, comprising: a plurality of element-shielding devices, each element-shielding device comprising: a first rod comprising a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; a second rod comprising a second stake configured for insertion into the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier material disposed between the first rod and the second rod, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod and the second rod.
 16. The element-shielding system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of element-shielding devices are arranged to form a shielded area.
 17. The element-shielding system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of element-shielding devices comprises a first element-shielding device and a second element-shielding device, wherein the first element-shielding device is attached to the second element-shielding device, wherein the first element-shielding device forms an angle with the second element-shielding device.
 18. The element-shielding system of claim 17, wherein the first element-shielding device is clipped to the second element-shielding device.
 19. The element-shielding system of claim 15, wherein each element-shielding device further comprises a reel comprising an axis, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable by being wound around the axis of the reel.
 20. A method for shielding an area, comprising: providing an element-shielding device comprising: a first rod comprising a first stake configured for insertion into the ground; a second rod comprising a second stake configured for insertion into the ground at a distance from the first stake; and a barrier material disposed between the first rod and the second rod, wherein the barrier material is extendable and retractable between the first rod and the second rod. 